Dynamic intelligent bidirectional optical and wireless access communication system

ABSTRACT

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a wavelength-shifted dynamic intelligent bidirectional access optical system utilizes key optical elements such as: a quantum dot enabled semiconductor optical amplifier, a phase modulator and an intensity modulator to provide upstream optical signals. These key optical elements reduce the Rayleigh backscattering effect on the transmission of optical signals. Reduced Rayleigh backscattering effect enables a longer-reach access network topology (more than any other current access network topology) between a subscriber unit and a super node (e.g., many local nodes collapsed into one super node). Such a longer-reach access network topology eliminates operational costs and capital costs related to a vast array of middle equipment such as routers and switches, which would otherwise be needed between super nodes and many remote nodes. Furthermore, a wavelength to a subscriber unit may be protected and dynamically varied for on-Demand bandwidth, information and services and also a subscriber&#39;s unit may be configured with any array of connectivity options. Integrated micro-processors, wireless devices, wireless sensors, RFID sensors, and batteries incorporated into an intelligent device may be used to sense the environment, to process information, to initiate action and to communicate with other similar devices. Data interpretation, pattern recognition and reasoning technologies may be utilized to allow these devices to communicate with and/or without human intervention and to operate independently and intelligently. Such independent interactions with other similar devices (integrated with micro-processors, wireless devices, wireless sensors, RFID sensors and batteries) can enable the Internet of Things and/or machine-to-machine communication via an embedded algorithm/software. Such an intelligent device can also act as the remote-control for life and health.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to and claims priority to (a) U.S.provisional patent application, “WAVELENGTH-SHIFTED DYNAMICBIDIRECTIONAL SYSTEM,” Ser. No. 60/868,838, filed on Dec. 6, 2006; (b)U.S. provisional patent application, “WAVELENGTH-SHIFTED DYNAMICBIDIRECTIONAL SYSTEM,” Ser. No. 60/883,727, filed on Jan. 6, 2007; and(c) U.S. provisional patent application, “INTELLIGENT INTERNET DEVICE,”Ser. No. 60/970,487, filed on Sep. 6, 2007. These U.S. provisionalpatent applications are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to dynamic intelligent bidirectionaloptical and wireless access communication system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment of the present invention, awavelength-shifted dynamic intelligent bidirectional access opticalsystem utilizes key optical elements such as: a quantum dot-enabledsemiconductor optical amplifier, a phase modulator and an intensitymodulator to provide upstream optical signals. These key opticalelements reduce the Rayleigh backscattering effect on the transmissionof optical signals. Reduced Rayleigh backscattering effect enables alonger-reach access network topology (more than any other current accessnetwork topology) between a subscriber unit and a super node (a supernode includes many local nodes). Such a longer-reach access networktopology eliminates operational costs and capital costs related to avast array of middle equipment like routers and switches, which wouldotherwise be needed between super nodes and many remote nodes.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a wavelength to asubscriber unit may be protected and dynamically varied for on-Demandbandwidth, information and services.

In another embodiment of the present invention, integratedmicro-processors, wireless devices, wireless sensors, RFID (radiofrequency enabled identification) sensors and batteries are incorporatedinto an intelligent device, which may be used to sense the environment,process information, initiate action and communicate with other similardevices. Data interpretation, pattern recognition and reasoningtechnologies may also be utilized. Such independent interactions withother similar devices (which are integrated with micro-processors,wireless devices, wireless sensors, RFID sensors and batteries) with orwithout human interactions enables the Internet of Things and/ormachine-to-machine communication via embedded algorithms/software.

The present invention is better understood upon consideration of thedetailed description below and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an access optical network 100, according to one embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an access optical network 100 where a wavelength to asubscriber unit 340 can be protected and dynamically varied foron-Demand bandwidth, information and services.

FIG. 3A shows an optical and wireless configuration of a subscriber unit340 enabling the Internet of Things and/or machine-to-machinecommunication.

FIGS. 3B and 3C show two perspectives of an exemplary application ofsuch an Internet appliance connected wirelessly or wired to a subscriberunit 340.

FIG. 3D shows an exemplary circuit block diagram of an Internetappliance connected wirelessly or wired to a subscriber unit 340.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary processing of optical signals utilizingoptical components 200-420.

FIG. 5 shows an integrated cross-sectional implementation of two quantumdot enabled semiconductor optical amplifiers 360, a phase modulator 380and an intensity modulator 400 as described by FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows an access optical network 100, which is awavelength-shifted dynamic bidirectional system, includes a super node101, many local nodes 102 and many remote nodes 103.

An optical network 100 connects to many local nodes 102, many remotenodes 103 and a large number of subscriber units 340. At a super node101, a number of fast switching wavelength stabilized tunable lasers 120provide specific downstream optical signals of selected distinctwavelengths, each selected distinct wavelength being modulated by thecorresponding modulators 140. The modulated wavelengths are thencombined by wavelength combiner 160 and amplified by an erbium-dopedfiber amplifier (EDFA) 220. The amplified wavelengths pass through acirculator 260 to be transmitted on a dispersion-compensated,single-mode optical fiber 280 to a remote node 103.

The modulated wavelengths (optical signals) are transmitted over adispersion-compensated single-mode optical fiber 280 and then aredecombined by a wavelength combiner/decombiner 300 in a remote node 103and filtered by a tunable optical bandpass filter 240 in order torecover the selected distinct wavelengths (optical signals). Thefiltered wavelengths are then further decombined by an optical powercombiner/decombiner 320 and are sent to multiple subscriber units 340.

Also at a local node 102 includes fast switching wavelength stabilizedtunable lasers 120, which provide optical signals of selected distinctwavelengths that are each offset from the corresponding set of selecteddistinct wavelengths generated at a super node 101. These selecteddistinct offset wavelengths at local node 102 are modulated bymodulators 140 and amplified by an erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA)220.

The selected amplified distinct wavelengths (optical signals) transmitthrough an optical power combiner/decombiner 320 and are sent tomultiple subscriber units 340 for upstream optical signals.

The upstream optical signals are returned through an optical powercombiner/decombiner 320, a tunable optical bandpass filter 240, and awavelength combiner/decombiner 300. The upstream optical signals aretransmitted over a dispersion-compensated single-mode optical fiber 280to a circulator 260 of a super node 101.

A circulator 260 provides the wavelengths to a tunable optical bandpassfilter 240, an erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) 220 and a wavelengthdecombiner 180 for detection by a larger number of avalanche photodiodes200 for each distinctly selected wavelength (optical signal).

FIG. 2 shows an optical network 100 where a wavelength to a subscriberunit 340 can be dynamically varied utilizing M:M cyclic arrayedwaveguide grating router(s) 250. Also a wavelength to and from asubscriber unit 340 can be protected by a 2×2 optical switch (not shownin the FIG. 2). Downstream and upstream optical signals can be separatedvia a ring network topology of single-mode optical fibers 280, accordingto one embodiment of the present invention.

All possible switched output wavelengths of the fast switchingwavelength stabilized tunable lasers 120 are arranged or displayed atthe M outputs of the M:M cyclic arrayed waveguide grating router 250because of the free spectral range periodic property of the M:M cyclicarrayed waveguide grating router 250. The M:M cyclic arrayed waveguidegrating router 250 offers the flexibility of routing more than onewavelength to any subscriber unit 340 for on-demand bandwidth,information and services.

FIG. 3A shows an exemplary configuration of a subscriber unit 340,according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS.3A, 4 and 5, a subscriber unit includes a tunable optical bandpassfilter 240, an avalanche photodiode 200, a circulator 260, opticalprocessing components 360-420, an electrical to optical amplifiercircuit 440, an avalanche photodiode circuit 460 and a media access andalgorithm flow/quality of service (QoS) management controller 480.

More than ever before, we are more mobile and more global. Our abilityto access any content, any time and from any place is critical. Aconverged pervasive always-on Internet will be the global network ofhuman connections, ideas, collaboration, commerce and distributedintelligence. Therefore, an intelligent device that allows access of anycontent over the Internet is desirable with or without humanintervention.

According to another embodiment of the subscriber unit 340, anintelligent device (which is based on emerging convergence of numerousplatforms, for example: computing, communication, device to devicecommunication, sensory input processing, entertainment, medicine,artificial intelligence and Internet of Things and/or machine-to-machinecommunication, enabling self learning with or without humanintervention) may include a micro-processor device, an operatingsystem/software and various embedded software for operation, control andmanagement, one or more Internet access devices, a display device, akeyboard device, a storage device, a battery, a power management device,a voice/video/data over Internet protocol device, a multimedia device, aGPS device and a near-field communication device.

Benefits of Such a Device

-   Simple¹ to use ¹ “If one can package it in a way that's    easy—brainlessly easy—for the end user, that's when things are    really going to take off”.-   Intelligent-   Convergent (of computing, communication and cable TV network    platforms)-   Open hardware and software architectures-   Seamless communication over Internet protocol-   Capable of time shifting any content-   Capable of place shifting any content-   Capable of location recognition for navigation-   Capable of searching physical things via RFID reading device and GPS-   Capable of the Internet of Things and/or machine-to-machine    communication-   Capable of remote control of life and health-   Capable of nano-medicine based diagnostics-   Potentially a disruptive business model based on emerging    convergence of numerous platforms, for example: computing,    communication, entertainment, medicine, artificial    intelligence/fuzzy logic and Internet of Things and/or    machine-to-machine communication. Thus it enables an intelligent    system for self learning with or without human intervention.-   As shown in FIG. 3A, a media access and algorithm flow/quality of    service (QoS) management controller 480 multiplexes/demultiplexes    the electrical or optical signals to a number of connectivity    devices for various applications, incorporating an IP address (500);    a micro-processor device (520); an operating software/system (540);    an Internet access device (560); an Internet firewall including    spyware, parental and security (e.g., finger-print recognition and    retinal scan) control capabilities (580); a display device, or a    stretchable nano-technology based display device or an organic light    emitting display (600); a keyboard, a stretchable keyboard device, a    touch screen keyboard, a infrared illuminated keyboard or a voice    activated keyboard (620); a battery, a nano-technology based solar    cell, or a wireless charger (640); a storage device, a holographic    storage device, or an Internet enabled storage device (660); a    microphone device (680); a camera (700); a video compression device    (720); a GPS device (740); a projection display device (760); an    MMIC (millimeter wave IC) or UWB (ultra wideband) or NG (Next    Generation) wireless connection device or Wi-Max connection device    or WIFI connection device (780); a Bluetooth device (800); a RFID    reading device (820); a near-field communication device (840) for    any point-of-purchase; a remote connection and content transfer    device (860) from phone to computer to TV; an in-situ diagnostic and    a remote control device (880); a web-based content management device    (900) for place shifting; an artificial intelligence or pattern    recognition-based device (920) for interpreting user profiles and    preferences; an artificial intelligence or fuzzy logic-based device    for automatic searches, recommendations, suggestions and fetching of    content (940); a voice-over-Internet protocol device (960); a    video-over-Internet protocol device (980); a data-over-Internet    protocol device (1000); and a device integrated with    micro-processors, wireless devices, wireless sensors, RFIDs and    batteries and embedded algorithm (1020) enabling the Internet of    Things and/or machine-to-machine communication.

Such an intelligent device may be connected to a digitalgateway/broadband router (1040), a set-top box (1060) and a personalvideo recorder (1080) via a sensor, a wired connection, or a wirelessconnection. The combinations of various capabilities of many devicesincorporated into an intelligent device create many novel consumerapplications. For example, having an Internet access device (560), a GPSdevice (740) and an RFID reading device (820) incorporated into such anintelligent device allows a new application of physical search. As manyproducts have RFID tags, an RFID reading device (820) of an intelligentdevice may be used to retrieve the RFID information and other embeddedcontent from a product when a consumer encounters the product. Theconsumer may then further search all non-confidential productinformation, including, availability, pricing and distribution via theInternet. Using a GPS device (740) in the intelligent device may evenlocate distribution locations where the same product can be purchased,ranked according to price. Other applications are possible because ofthe seamless capabilities provided on the intelligent device.

By utilizing an ultra-high resolution and very high contrast ratio touchsensitive monochrome or color display and a stylus; an electronicsketchpad may be created.

An intelligent device of the present invention may have many radios andantennas. The wireless capabilities can be further simplified by asoftware-defined radio, where a radio, controlled by software, utilizesa broadband antenna and a carbon-nanotube tunable radio-frequency cavityfilter to access or tune to a wide range of frequencies, instead of asingle band.

An intelligent device of the present invention may be designed forshort-range communication. The intelligent device may enable the deviceto act like a node in a wireless-sensor network, having more power andprocessing capabilities than the other sensors, and collect informationabout the environment (e.g., pictures or location information). Theintelligent device may also aggregate data from nearby sensors, processsuch information, and send such information to other sensors, devices,and intelligent devices via wired, wireless or sensor networks.

Moreover, home sensors (e.g., built-in security sensors, utility sensorsand moisture sensors), infrared sensors and health sensors may be alsoconnected or incorporated.

As shown in FIG. 3B and FIG. 3C, an intelligent device of the presentinvention allows a user to make telephone calls, send instant videomessages, send instant messages, send instant pictures, watch TVprograms, play games and send medical diagnostics over the Internet andutilize it as a mobile nano-computer at any time and from any place.This also can securely store financial information such as credit cardinformation and reduce any further need for keeping separate financialinformation. Near-field communication device(s) along with an RFIDreading device incorporated into an intelligent device may allow, forexample, payment at any point-of-purchase. This is an open and flexiblearchitecture in hardware and software. A design example with a circuitblock diagram is shown in FIG. 3D, where a microprocessor device (520)controlled by an operating software/system software (540) is connectedto various components as: 10 (power reset), 12 (camera controller), 14(McBSP connection), 16 (GPIO connection), 18 (MS/MMC/SD/SDIOconnection), 20 (Memory controller), 22 (Storage controller), 24 (USBconnection), 26 (USB OTG connection), 28 (UART connection), 30 (SDIOconnection), 32 (I2C connection), 34 (IrDA connection), 36 (Displaycontroller), 38 (SPI connection), 40 (Touch screen display controller),42 (Power management chip), 44 (Audio code), 46 (Micro SD slot), 48(Mobile DDR), 50 (NAND/NOR Flash), 52 (HHD), 54 (USB hub), 56 (Mini USBhub), 58 (FIR port), 60 (Speaker), 62 (MIC), 64 (Headset), 600(Display), 600.1 (External display), 620 (Keyboard), 640 (Battery), 700(Camera), 740 (GPS module), 780.1 (WLAN module), 780.2, (WiMax module),780.3 (Next Generation wireless module) and 800 (Bluetooth module).

Integrated micro-processors, wireless devices, wireless sensors, RFIDsensors, and batteries incorporated into an intelligent device may beused to sense the environment, to process information, to initiateaction and to communicate with other similar devices. Datainterpretation, pattern recognition and reasoning technologies may beutilized to allow these devices to communicate with and/or without humanintervention and to operate independently and intelligently. Suchindependent interactions with other similar devices (which areintegrated with micro-processors, wireless devices, wireless sensors,RFID sensors and batteries incorporated can enable the Internet ofThings and/or machine-to-machine communication via embedded algorithms.

For example, holographic images of DNA stored in an intelligent devicecould be projected in a physical space or on the Internet to enable aphysician to design personalized medical or surgical treatment. Such anintelligent device can be self-learning and enable the remote-controlfor life and health (via, for example, nanotechnology-based in-situimplanted medical sensors and web based medicine).

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary processing of optical signal processing incomponents 200-420. As shown in FIG. 4, downstream optical signals aredivided by a tunable optical bandpass filter 240 to an avalanchephotodiode 200 for receiving optical signals. Upstream optical signalswith the slightly offset distinctly selected wavelengths are provided toa tunable optical bandpass filter 240, which forwards the filteredoptical signals to a circulator 260. The upstream optical signals arelooped back through a quantum dot enabled semiconductor opticalamplifier 360 and a phase modulator 380. The phase-modulated opticalsignals are further amplified by a quantum dot enabled semiconductoroptical amplifier 360 and modulated in intensity by an intensitymodulator 400. Both phase and intensity modulated optical signals arethen transmitted through a variable optical intensity attenuator 420 forupstream optical signals to a super node 101 through a circulator 260.

Using a quantum dot enabled semiconductor optical amplifier 360, a phasemodulator 380 and an intensity modulator 400 in the manner shown in FIG.4 to reduce the Rayleigh backscattering effect on the transmission ofoptical signals, thus enabling a simplified network topology to supporta longer reach between a super node 101 and a remote node 103 and,thereby eliminating a vast array of middle equipment such as routers andswitches, which would otherwise be needed between super nodes 101 andmany remote nodes 103. Also, a pilot tone modulation may be provided toa quantum dot enabled semiconductor optical amplifier 360 at asubscriber unit 340 and a fast switching wavelength stabilized tunablelaser 120 at a super node 101 to reduce any backscattering effect.Furthermore, all optical fiber connectors may be angle polished toreduce further optical back-reflection.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, an upstreamwavelength may be shared among multiple subscriber units 340 (e.g.,using a time division multiplexed statistical bandwidth allocationtechnique), hence burst mode electronics with a forward error correctionmay be provided at a super node 101 to process the upstream opticalsignals from multiple subscriber units 340, but the downstream opticalsignals from a super node 101 to subscriber units 340 may be transmittedunder broadcast mode conditions.

In another embodiment of the present invention, burst mode electronicswith a forward error correction may be provided both at a super node 101and subscriber units 340 to process both upstream and downstream opticalsignals, using a time division multiplexed statistical bandwidthallocation technique.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary integrated cross-sectional implementation oftwo quantum dot enabled semiconductor optical amplifiers 360, a phasemodulator 380 and an intensity modulator 400, according to oneembodiment in a cross-section of the present invention.

The above detailed description is provided to illustrate specificembodiments of the present invention and is not intended to be limiting.Numerous modifications and variations within the scope of the presentinvention are possible.

1. An optical system for communicating optical signals to and from asubscriber unit, comprises: a first set of selected wavelengths; asecond set of selected wavelengths offset from the first set of selectedwavelengths; a first subsystem configured to transmit to the subscriberunit, the optical signals of one or more wavelengths from the first setof selected wavelengths over an optical fiber; a second subsystemconfigured to transmit to the subscriber unit the optical signals of onewavelength selected from the second set of selected wavelengths instatistical time division multiplexing over the optical fiber; a thirdsubsystem at the subscriber unit configured to receive the opticalsignals of the one or more wavelengths from the first set of selectedwavelengths and the optical signals of one wavelength from the secondset of selected wavelengths over the optical fiber; a fourth subs stemat a head-end configured to receive looped back optical signals of onewavelength from the second set of selected wavelengths from thesubscriber unit to the head-end over the optical fiber; a cyclic arrayedwaveguide grating router capable of routing more than one wavelength tothe subscriber unit; and a phase modulator, an intensity modulator, anamplifier and a looped back configuration within the subscriber unit. 2.An optical system as in claim 1, further comprising a 3-port circulator.3. An optical system as in claim 1, further comprising a wavelengthcombiner/decombiner for wavelength combining or wavelength decombiningof two or more wavelengths.
 4. An optical system as in claim 1, furthercomprising a power combiner/decombiner for power combining or powerdecombining one or more wavelengths.
 5. An optical network as in claim1, wherein a device further comprises a power combiner/decombiner forselecting the one wavelength split from the second set of opticalsignals in time division multiplexing.
 6. An optical system as in claim1, further comprising a plurality of lasers and detectors.
 7. An opticalsystem as in claim 6, further comprising a plurality ofwavelength-stabilized lasers.
 8. An optical system as in claim 6,further comprising a plurality of tunable lasers.
 9. An optical systemas in claim 6, further comprising a plurality of plurality offast-switching lasers.
 10. An optical system as in claim 6, furthercomprising one or more components selected from the group consisting of:a photodiode, a photodiode plus linear semiconductor optical amplifier,an avalanche photodiode, a fast-switching photodiode, and a tunablephotodiode.
 11. An optical system as in claim 6, further comprising oneor more circuits selected from the group consisting of: a burst-modecircuit and a forward-error correction circuit. 12-13. (canceled)
 14. Anoptical system as in claim 1, further comprising a plurality ofintensity modulators for modulating light intensities from the lasersources.
 15. An optical system as in claim 1, further comprising anamplifier for amplifying the modulated optical signals.
 16. An opticalsystem as in claim 15, further comprising an erbium doped fiberamplifier.
 17. An optical system as in claim 15, further comprising asemiconductor optical amplifier.
 18. An optical system as in claim 1,further comprising a cyclic arrayed waveguide grating router.
 19. Anoptical system as in claim 1, wherein the subscriber unit furthercomprises an intensity modulator for intensity modulation of the opticalsignals selected from the one wavelength from the second set ofwavelengths.
 20. An optical system as in claim 1, wherein the subscriberunit further comprises a phase modulator for phase modulation of theoptical signals selected from the one wavelength selected from thesecond set of wavelengths.
 21. An optical system as in claim 1, whereinthe subscriber unit further comprises a quantum dot-enabledsemiconductor optical amplifier for amplifying intensity modulatedoptical signals selected from one wavelength from the second set ofwavelengths.
 22. An optical system as in claim 1, wherein the subscriberunit further comprises a quantum dot-enabled semiconductor opticalamplifier for amplifying modulated optical signals selected from onewavelength from the second set of wavelengths.
 23. An optical system asin claim 1, wherein the subscriber unit further comprises a circulatorfor looping back the optical signals of one wavelength of the second setof wavelengths, after optically processing said looped back opticalsignals, in the subscriber unit.
 24. An optical system as in claim 1,wherein the subscriber unit further comprises a media access controllerand a data flow management controller.
 25. An optical system as in claim24, wherein the subscriber unit further comprises a quality of service.26. A subscriber unit as in claim 24, comprises circuits for performingone or more of the following applications: firewall, security devices(such as finger print recognition and/or retinal scan, etc.), parentalcontrol, voice-over-IP, video-over-IP, data-over-IP, set-top box, videorecorder, wired or wireless or sensor connectivity, media home control,wireless sensor, RFID sensor, place shifting device, time shiftingdevice, remote health care device, Internet of Things and/ormachine-to-machine communication and embedded algorithm/software.
 27. Anoptical system as in claim 24, wherein the subscriber unit furthercomprises a phase modulator, an intensity modulator and a quantumdot-enabled semiconductor amplifier that are fabricated on a samesemiconductor substrate.
 28. An optical system as in claim 24, whereinthe subscriber unit is further configured to receive one or morewavelengths on-demand.
 29. An optical system in claim 24, wherein thesubscriber unit is further configured to receive bandwidth on-demand.30. An optical system as in claim 24, wherein the subscriber unit isfurther configured to receive wavelength protection on-demand.
 31. Anoptical system as in claim 24, wherein the subscriber unit is furtherconfigured to transmit or receive the optical signals via a coordinatedstatistical time division multiplexing.
 32. An optical system as inclaim 24, wherein the subscriber unit further comprises an opticalsignal processing circuit, comprising: a phase modulator for modulatingthe optical signal; an intensity modulator for modulating the opticalsignal; a semiconductor optical amplifier for amplifying the opticalsignal; and a circulator for looping back optical signal over an inputterminal.
 33. An optical system in claim 32, further comprising anincreased link distance between the subscriber unit and head-end byresulting from a reduction of scattering.
 34. A method of pilot-tonemodulation to reduce scattering problems, thereby increasing a linkdistance between the subscriber unit and head-end.
 35. A subscriber unitas in claim 24, further comprising a phase modulator, an intensitymodulator and a quantum dot-enabled semiconductor amplifier arefabricated on the same semiconductor substrate.
 36. A subscriber unit,comprising: an IP address; a circulator; electronic or optical signalprocessing circuit(s) for performing one or more of the following:firewall, parental control, security, voice-over-IP, video-over-IP,data-over-IP, set-top box, video recorder, wired or wireless or sensorconnectivity, media home control, RFID sensors, wireless sensor, datacommunication and processing, time shifting device, place or networkshifting device, remote health care device and embeddedalgorithm/software, the electrical circuits providing the inputelectrical data signal to the optical signal processing circuit; and amedia access and flow control management controller providing mediaaccess, flow control and quality of service control functions.
 37. Anintelligent device, comprising: an interface for communication over theInternet using Internet protocol comprising one or more of thefollowing: a wired connection device, a wireless connection device, asensor based connection device, an Internet firewall including spywareand parental control capabilities, an information device comprising oneor more of the following: a time shifting device, a web-based contentmanagement device for place shifting, an artificial intelligence orpattern recognition-based device for interpreting user profiles orpreferences and an artificial intelligence or a fuzzy logic-based devicefor automatic searches, recommendations, suggestions and fetching ofcontent; a micro-processor device including an operatingsoftware/system, embedded operating software for controlling andmanaging the entire device or other devices both remotely and locally,through one or more of the following: a wire, a wireless, a sensor andthe Internet connection. a user interface device comprising one or moreof the following: a display, a stretchable display, a nano-technologybased display, a display capable of receiving signals from one of thefollowing: (a MMIC (millimeter wave IC) device, a UWB (ultra wide-band)device, a next generation wireless device, a WiMax device, a WiFidevice, a keyboard device, a Bluetooth-enabled keyboard device, aninfrared-enabled keyboard, a voice software-activated keyboard, atouch-tone keyboard device, a stretchable keyboard device and a stylus.one or more of: a storage device, a holographic storage device and anInternet-enabled storage device; a power management device comprising ofone or more of the following: a long-life battery, a wired charger, awireless charger and a solar cell; a device comprising one or more ofthe following: a microphone, a camera, a set-top box, a personal videorecorder and a broadband router; a protocol device comprising one ormore of the following: voice-over-Internet protocol, avideo-over-Internet protocol and a data-over-Internet protocol; a nearfield communication device; and a video compression device.
 38. Anintelligent device, as in claim 37, further comprising one or more ofthe following: an in-situ diagnostic and a remote control, a test ormanagement device, a time shifting device and a place shifting device.39. An intelligent device as in claim 37, further comprising one or moreof the following: a MMIC (millimeter wave IC) device, a UWB (ultra-wideband) device, a next generation wireless device, a WiMax device, a WIFIdevice, a Bluetooth device, a GPS device, a projection display device, acamcorder, a RFID reading device, software plus tunable cavity filterenabled radio frequency and antenna.
 40. A method of tuning a radiofrequency utilizing software and a tunable cavity filter.
 41. Anintelligent device as in claim 37, further comprising web based contentmanagement capabilities based on pattern of use.
 42. An intelligentdevice as in claim 37, further comprising a remote connection andtransfer device between phone to computer to TV to set top box topersonal video recorder to broadband router to website enabling anyfixed to mobile conversion.
 43. An intelligent device as in claim 37,further comprising an integrated home control device includingfunctional devices selecting one or more of the following: a homesensor, an infrared sensor and a health/medical sensor.
 44. Anintelligent device as in claim 37, allowing access and storage of one ormore of the following: voice, video and data over one or more of thefollowing connections: a wire, a wireless, a sensor and the Internetconnection.
 45. An intelligent device as in claim 37, wherein theintelligent device allows creation and storage of electronic sketches.46. An intelligent device as in claim 37, the intelligent deviceallowing secure access and storage of financial records and credit cardsat the point-of-purchase over one or more of the following: a wire, awireless, a sensor and the Internet connection.
 47. An intelligentdevice as in claim 37, the intelligent device allowing access andstorage of multimedia over one or more of the following: a wire, awireless, a sensor and the Internet connection
 48. An intelligent deviceas in claim 37, the intelligent device allowing access and storage ofany content at any time over one or more of the following: a wire, awireless, a sensor and the Internet connection.
 49. An intelligentdevice as in claim 37, the intelligent device allowing access andstorage of any content from any place over one or more of the followingconnections: a wire, a wireless, a sensor and the Internet connection.50. An intelligent device as in claim 37, the intelligent deviceallowing shifting and storage of any content at any time over one ormore of the following: a wire, a wireless, a sensor and the Internetconnection.
 51. An intelligent device as in claim 37, the intelligentdevice allowing shifting and storage of any content from any place overone or more of the following: a wire, a wireless, a sensor and theInternet connection
 52. An intelligent device as in claim 37, theintelligent device allowing auto searches based on specific userprofiles over one or more of the following: a wire, a wireless, a sensorand the Internet connection.
 53. An intelligent device as in claim 37,the intelligent device allowing auto recommendations and/or personalizedadvertisements/games based on specific user profiles over one or more ofthe following: a wire, a wireless, a sensor and the Internet connection.54. An intelligent device as in claim 37, the intelligent deviceallowing follow-me access of personalized content based on specific userprofiles over one or more of the following: a wire, a wireless, a sensorand the Internet connection
 55. An intelligent device as in claim 37,the intelligent device allowing remote access & remote control of homesor businesses over one or more of the following: a wire, a wireless, asensor and the Internet connection.
 56. An intelligent device as inclaim 37, the intelligent device allowing remote access & remotecontrol/diagnostics of health over one or more of the following: a wire,a wireless, a sensor and the Internet connection.
 57. An intelligentdevice as in claim 37, the intelligent device allowing purchases at thepoint-of-purchase over one or more of the following: a wire, a wireless,a sensor and the Internet connection.
 58. An intelligent device as inclaim 37, wherein the intelligent device is capable of functioning as acomputer, and/or a phone, and/or a GPS module and/or a TV.
 59. Anintelligent device as in claim 37, further comprising an integratedembedded algorithm/software-microprocessor-wireless device-wirelesssensor-RFID sensor-battery.
 60. An intelligent device as in claim 59,further comprising interactions with one or more of the following:various Internet websites, Internet search engines, Internet videosearch engines, Internet meta search engines, Internet search engineswith RFID library, physical search engines enabled by RFID readingdevice and GPS, and Internet of Things and/or machine-to-machinecommunication.
 61. An intelligent device as in claim 59, furthercomprising one or more interactive embedded algorithm/software.
 62. Anintelligent device as in claim 59, the intelligent device furtherenabling the Internet of Things and/or machine-to-machine communication.63. An intelligent device as in claim 59, the intelligent device furtherinteracting or communicating independently with another device over oneor more of the following: a wire, a wireless, a sensor and the Internetconnection.
 64. An intelligent device as in claim 59, the intelligentdevice further enabling social networking, targeted advertisement andcontent sharing over one or more of the following: a wire, a wireless, asensor and the Internet connection.
 65. An intelligent device as inclaim 59, the intelligent further enabling interaction/collaborationover one or more of the following: a wire, a wireless, a sensor and theInternet connection.
 66. An intelligent device as in claim 59, theintelligent device further comprising one or more of the following:medical sensors, nano-technology based medical sensors and embeddedalgorithm/software.
 67. An intelligent device as in claim 66, furtherenabling management and storage of medical record, health-sensor dataand DNA profile.
 68. An intelligent device as in claim 66, furtherenabling access and storage of medical record, health-sensor data andDNA profile over one or more of the following: a wire, a wireless, asensor and the Internet connection.
 69. An intelligent device as inclaim 66, the intelligent device further enables self-learningattributes.
 70. An intelligent device as in claim 60, further enablingself-learning attributes.
 71. An optical system as in claim 24, whereinthe subscriber unit further comprises an embedded algorithm.
 72. Anoptical system as in claim 24, wherein the subscriber unit furthercomprises an internet communicator.
 73. An optical system as in claim24, wherein the subscriber unit further comprises one or more securitymodules selected from the group consisting of: internet security,firewall and parental control.
 74. An optical system as in claim 24,wherein the subscriber unit further comprises one or more internetprotocol (IP) modules selected from the group consisting of:voice-over-IP, video-over-IP and data-over-IP.
 75. An optical system asin claim 24, wherein the subscriber unit further comprises one or moreelectronic modules selected from the group consisting of: a set-top box,a video recorder, a place shifter and a time shifter.
 76. An opticalsystem as in claim 24, wherein the subscriber unit further comprises oneor more communication modules selected from the group consisting of: awire, a wireless and a sensor.
 77. An optical system as in claim 24,wherein the subscriber unit further comprises one or more identificationmodules selected from the group consisting of: radio frequencyidentification and an identification sensor.
 78. An optical system as inclaim 24, wherein the subscriber unit further comprises one or moresensor modules selected from the group consisting of: home control andhealth care.